Cleaner air, safer roads, and better neighbourhoods; those are just some of the improvements Tauranga City Council is asking the public for their final thoughts on before the draft Mount to Arataki Spatial Plan is taken to commissioners for approval later this year.

Following consultation earlier in March, council has drawn up initiatives around how people move around the Mount to Arataki area, what a healthy community and neighbourhood looks like, improvements to the centres that people go to for work and play and promoting the history and culture of the region.

The purpose of the Mount to Arataki Spatial Plan is to set the direction for how the area develops over the next 30 years.

Travel around, to, and through Mount to Arataki needs to be more reliable but we simply don’t have the space to be building more roads to cater for growth. Instead, we need to work with our partners to create more options for how people and goods can move more effectively along the transport routes we do have.

This means providing travel alternatives to cars, such as better public transport, cycling, walking and other modes of travel.  

Before the first traffic lights, roundabouts, and even the introduction of helmet laws, the Mount to Arataki area was a relatively stress-free place to ride a bike or even cross the road, with generations of kids tearing around on somewhat empty streets on their trusty BMXs.

But times have changed, and now we need more cycle lanes, shared paths, and safer crossings so our children can continue to travel safely and independently – whether they’re heading to the school, off for a surf, or to the dairy.  

Keeping children safe while maintaining the unique features of the area is something Omanu School Deputy Principal Maree Pollock knows only too well.

Let's make sure the beach is easy and safe to access for everyone.

“Our students are lucky to live in such unique place with the beach, parks, sports fields, and Mauao in their backyard, Maree says.

“Earlier this year council staff came and did an exercise with some students, asking what they would like to see in the area. Protecting the beach and making parks better were common answers. I think this is a real reflection of where these kids grow up and what is most important to them.”

Along with safe and connected neighbourhoods, healthy neighbourhoods allow us to be active and enjoy the spaces around us. They require a healthy environment that is cared for by everyone. 

Our neighbourhoods tell the story of our people, culture, and history every day. They create pride in the areas that we live and contribute to a greater community connection between people and places.  

As well as telling us what you think about transport and road safety, we want to hear your ideas for enhancing our natural environment, improving parks and community facilities, keeping our community healthy, active, and safe, improving our shopping entertainment and business districts, and more. 

For more information and to place feedback on the draft Mount to Arataki Spatial plan go to www.tauranga.govt.nz/mount-arataki-feedback.  

Work on Tauranga Harbour Bridge. Photo: NZME.

-Spoonsored by Tauranga City Council.